v2.4.0.8
Business Segments and Geographic Information - Segment Information (Detail) (USD $)
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
 3 Months Ended 12 Months Ended
Sep. 28, 2013
Jun. 29, 2013
Mar. 30, 2013
Dec. 29, 2012
Sep. 29, 2012
Jun. 23, 2012
Mar. 24, 2012
Dec. 24, 2011
Sep. 28, 2013
Sep. 29, 2012
Sep. 24, 2011
Operating Statistics [Line Items]                      
Total revenues $ 622,118 $ 626,136 $ 612,663 $ 631,362 $ 588,548 [1] $ 470,228 $ 471,165 $ 472,711 $ 2,492,279 $ 2,002,652 $ 1,789,349
Operating (loss) income                 (906,282) 113,717 374,445
Depreciation and amortization                 516,010 345,751 304,736
Capital expenditures                 90,130 78,773 55,663
Identifiable assets 9,000,823       10,477,108       9,000,823 10,477,108 6,008,780
Diagnostics [Member]
                      
Operating Statistics [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 1,189,819 718,064 571,263
Operating (loss) income                 (1,149,132) (32,787) 170,693
Depreciation and amortization                 369,818 197,274 165,065
Capital expenditures                 51,653 44,939 23,128
Identifiable assets 4,667,942       6,170,553       4,667,942 6,170,553 1,770,107
Breast Health [Member]
                      
Operating Statistics [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 905,076 875,771 825,551
Operating (loss) income                 216,049 186,106 187,970
Depreciation and amortization                 40,098 42,924 45,165
Capital expenditures                 16,386 9,821 12,069
Identifiable assets 932,206       956,134       932,206 956,134 985,196
GYN Surgical [Member]
                      
Operating Statistics [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 307,139 313,089 300,538
Operating (loss) income                 19,664 (51,892) 3,623
Depreciation and amortization                 105,233 103,781 92,587
Capital expenditures                 9,145 12,233 11,467
Identifiable assets 1,849,518       1,944,386       1,849,518 1,944,386 2,049,682
Skeletal Health [Member]
                      
Operating Statistics [Line Items]                      
Total revenues                 90,245 95,728 91,997
Operating (loss) income                 7,137 12,290 12,159
Depreciation and amortization                 861 1,772 1,919
Capital expenditures                 562 171 2,198
Identifiable assets 33,508       32,778       33,508 32,778 31,864
Corporate [Member]
                      
Operating Statistics [Line Items]                      
Capital expenditures                 12,384 11,609 6,801
Identifiable assets $ 1,517,649       $ 1,373,257       $ 1,517,649 $ 1,373,257 $ 1,171,931
[1] The fourth quarter was a 14-week quarter compared to all other quarters which were 13-week quarters.